Welcome!

August 10, 2009

Dear Parents and Students,

I would like to welcome you and your child to sixth grade English Language Arts at R. H. Rollings Middle School of the Arts. I am very excited about the upcoming year! We have many wonderful learning experiences planned for our children.

I received my undergraduate and Masters degrees from Charleston Southern University. I achieved my National Board Certification in Early Adolescence English Language Arts in 2005. In 2008, I earned my certification in Education Administration. I have taught at schools in Dorchester District Two for eighteen years, and this is my thirteenth year at Rollings Middle School of the Arts. My husband, Dale, and I have two children. My son, Sean, is employed by Sprint. My daughter, Ashley, is a senior at the College of Charleston. We have two cats, Annie and Chester, and one dog, Annabelle. We live in Summerville.

The English Language Arts program is designed to challenge students of outstanding ability to study literature intensively and to develop advance composition skills. We will participate in activities designed to meet the learning styles and multiple intelligences of all learners. The achievement of good study and social skills as well as leadership potential will be emphasized. Students will file graded assignments in their binders; these should not be thrown away without teacher approval. Please review the papers carefully, and unless it is indicated, papers do not need to be returned. For your convenience, I have a website available for parents and students that can be accessed through the school website at www.dorchester.rms.schoolfusion.us

Homework will generally consist of literature responses and test preparation. In addition, special projects and literary analyses will be assigned periodically. Help your child become a good time manager by setting aside a specific time of day for homework. Homework is never given on new material so your child should be able to complete the assignment independently. Ask your child to share what he/she is learning with you. Classwork that is not completed in class may also be assigned as homework.

I look forward to working with you and your child. Education is a partnership between home and school. My challenge is to encourage students to take pride in their accomplishments and always do their best work. You know your child’s needs, and I encourage you to share them with me. Thus, I can create a successful and productive learning environment for him/her. Please feel free to contact me with any concerns you may have.

Let’s have a wonderful year!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Taylor